attend to

USAGE SUMMARY

'attend to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about devoting time and attention to a task or person. For example: "She needs to attend to her sick grandmother."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

6. Attend to precision.

The New York Times

I will attend to it".

The New York Times

I'll attend to it".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

12. Attend to everything.

The New York Times - Arts

I had to attend to his affairs".

The New Yorker

We can attend to tone and nuance.

The New York Times

They did attend to corpses, if minimally.

The New York Times - Books

"So we have to attend to competitiveness".

The Economist

Its managers attend to the tiniest detail.

The Economist

Attend to your own performances.

The Guardian - Books

The King's physicians would attend to him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attend to" when you want to emphasize the act of giving focus and action to something, whether it's a task, a person, or a detail. Ensure the context clarifies what requires attention.

Common error

Avoid using "attend to" in extremely informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "handle" or "take care of" might be more appropriate. The phrase carries a slightly more formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attend to" functions as a transitive verb phrase, requiring an object to complete its meaning. It signifies the act of giving attention, care, or service to someone or something. As Ludwig AI explains, it's about devoting time and attention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attend to" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to indicate the act of giving focus, care, or service. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for a wide range of contexts, from formal writing to everyday communication, though it carries a slightly more formal tone. With a very common frequency and wide distribution across reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, "attend to" is a reliable choice for expressing a commitment to address tasks or needs. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize the act of giving focused action, and consider simpler alternatives like "take care of" in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take care of

Emphasizes the act of providing care or managing a responsibility.

deal with

Suggests handling or managing a situation or task.

see to

Highlights ensuring that something is done or handled properly.

focus on

Implies concentrating one's attention or efforts on something.

look after

Similar to "take care of", but often used in the context of caregiving.

give attention to

Directly relates to providing focus and consideration.

manage

Focuses on controlling or directing something.

handle

Suggests managing a task or issue effectively.

address

Indicates dealing with a problem or issue directly.

mind

Suggests being aware of and taking care of something.

FAQs

How can I use "attend to" in a sentence?

You can use "attend to" when you mean to take care of something or give it your attention. For instance, "The doctor will "attend to" your needs promptly" or "Please "attend to" the details before submitting the report".

What's a more informal way to say "attend to"?

In less formal situations, you can use phrases like "take care of", "deal with", or "see to". These alternatives are often more suitable for everyday conversations.

What is the difference between "attend to" and "tend to"?

"Attend to" means to take care of or deal with something, while "tend to" means to regularly do something or be likely to do something. For example, "I need to "attend to" my emails" versus "I tend to drink coffee in the morning".

Is "attend to" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, ""attend to"" is perfectly suitable for formal writing. It conveys a sense of professionalism and diligence, making it appropriate for reports, business correspondence, and academic papers.